Forty pound Farm Find Fiesta - photo's now attached!

[theorganist]

Back in February there was a Fiesta advertised on the blue forum. It was stored on a farm and the farmer wanted the owner to move it, it had been off the road since 2008. I have no idea why I wanted it, mark 3 Fiesta's always epitomised the motoring equivalent of watching paint dry, particularly a basic spec 1.1. However the one I purchased 3 years ago as an emergency car, turned out to be a surprisingly capable car. Anyway six months later it finally has an MOT. It has evidently been stolen in the past, I think that was why it was laid up. It was missing the oil filler cap and windscreen washer pump, some fuses too I think. SInce picking it up this afternoon I have found a few other missing items. It needed a small amount of welding, front brake pads and discs, four tyres and a complete exhaust. It has cost quite a bit more than the £40 I originally paid for. However I guess these are getting rarer now and it is quite appealing in its basic spec. It was suggested that whoever purchased it should bring a dustpan and brush, however it is actually solid and only needed a small amount of welding on the sills. 

 

DUE TO PHOTOBUCKET BEING IN MY OPINION UNREASONABLE YOU CAN SEE THE IMAGES HERE: http://imgur.com/a/fMcr0

 

Here is what it looked like when I first saw it and had it delivered:

 

 

 

 

This is what it now looks like:

 

 

 

I will give it a good polish over the weekend.

 

It is the very basic model, no rear windscreen wiper or cigar lighter, look it didn't even come with window winders!

 

 

 

Ford were ahead of their time, cars of the future will likely have bonnets that will not be able to be opened by the owner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have driven it around a little today, a oil change will be done next week. It drives nicely, light steering and a light gearshift. The engine seems quite smooth and drives well. It isn't too noisy, however when it was broken into the door was quite badly bent, it has been bent back but there is still a small gap.

 

I have ordered two window winders from ebay, the heater fan doesn't work however I need to go through the fuses as it may be missing, however the fuse box lid is also missing so that could be tricky! Most of all I need to work out how to open the bonnet, the orange handle seems to have gone missing, it was there when it was dropped off at the garage, I will ring them tomorrow and ask what they have done with it!

 

I am not sure how long I will keep it, certainly for the foreseeable future, although if I win Bud's rather posher version I may sell this sooner. I do yearn for something older again, Allegro sort of period so either this or the Renault 5 may be sold at some point.

[outlaw118]

Photobucket iz ruining your Fred old bean.....can't see pics

[fiatdaft]

Photobucket fail I'm afraid

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[theorganist]

Can anyone enlighten me as to what the red light is between the buttons on the clock? It seems to be on all the time?!

[theorganist]

Apparently you have to pay £300 to host images on third party sites now! I shall look for a different site and edit the thread.

[theorganist]

www.imgur.com is a solid capable host. Some others use Flickr.  

Thanks, I am just uploading to imgur now.

[Lord Sterling]

Bah, I was really hoping to see this. What happen to your other Fiesta? I need a Mk3 Fiesta in my life.

[mk2_craig]

Can anyone enlighten me as to what the red light is between the buttons on the clock? It seems to be on all the time?!

Assuming it is a later model mk3 it will be to do with the immobiliser, should not be lit permanently but might be affected if someones buggered with the stereo wiring or whatever.

[theorganist]

I can't upload images from Imgur, it tells me you cannot upload images with that extension in this community?

[theorganist]

I shall have to look into the immobiliser then, it was stolen and recovered previously so I imagine it is related to that. The car starts fine though.

[theorganist]

Bah, I was really hoping to see this. What happen to your other Fiesta? I need a Mk3 Fiesta in my life.

I sold it three years ago to a guy at work who was desperate for a car. It is still showing as sorn so is around somewhere, I know he sold it on. 

[theorganist]

This is the link to the imgur page http://imgur.com/a/fMcr0

[Craig the Princess]

Try tinypic if you only need a few pictures.

 

GLWT$

[drum]

Upload the pics directly to the forum using the "more reply options" then choose file etc

[theorganist]

Upload the pics directly to the forum using the "more reply options" then choose file etc

I didn't realise you could do that. I'll have a look at doing so tomorrow morning, thanks.

[Hendry]

Top bombing!!

 

Im glad to see those wheel trims that were in the footwell have been sacked off!

 

L reg is too early for immobiliser is it not? generally on Fords of the early 90s the red led in the digital clock is to do with the alarm system which was usually fitted even on things like base lead in mk5 Escorts due to car crime in the 90s of even low spec Fords, but Id doubt a Fiesta base had a factory alarm either. 

[Split_Pin]

That scrubbed up remarkably well! These are few and far between now, presume rust got most.

 

As such, well played, I'll be following this!

 

I learned to drive in a similar L ref example and Inthought it was posh with its quiet(er) single point injection 1.1 and 5 gears compared to my mums earlier J plate carbed 4 speeder with manual choke and grey tweed style upholstery.

[theorganist]

Top bombing!!

 

Im glad to see those wheel trims that were in the footwell have been sacked off!

 

L reg is too early for immobiliser is it not? generally on Fords of the early 90s the red led in the digital clock is to do with the alarm system which was usually fitted even on things like base lead in mk5 Escorts due to car crime in the 90s of even low spec Fords, but Id doubt a Fiesta base had a factory alarm either.

Thanks. There is only the one trim thank goodness and its going nowhere near the wheels.

 

I don't think its an alarm but until I've worked out how to open the bonnet I can't say for sure. There is a sticker proclaiming the car has an immobiliser.

 

The only key I have, has a red portion on it, not sure if that is of some significance!

[theorganist]

That scrubbed up remarkably well! These are few and far between now, presume rust got most.

 

As such, well played, I'll be following this!

 

I learned to drive in a similar L ref example and Inthought it was posh with its quiet(er) single point injection 1.1 and 5 gears compared to my mums earlier J plate carbed 4 speeder with manual choke and grey tweed style upholstery.

My previous one was like that, a H reg Popular Plus with manual choke, four gears and tweed upholstery. I'm not sure I don't prefer the look of the tweed to be honest.

 

This one also has an airbag too.

[mk2_craig]

Yeah the red bit in the key will be the transponder chip that talks to the immobiliser circuit. Does your car have the airbag as well? I think all that stuff may have been brought out at the same time on the Fiesta.

[mk2_craig]

Edit - forget the airbag question. Looks like yours is an early "facelift" model. Though there was barely any difference cosmetically!

[theorganist]

Yes it comes with many advanced features, airbag, catalyst converter, immobiliser, fuel injection and the latest in OHV technology.

 

It has it's original Ford stereo which of course is asking for a code. I will try pulling it out at the weekend and see if the code is on the body of the stereo.

[theorganist]

Upload the pics directly to the forum using the "more reply options" then choose file etc

Thanks for that advice, I think I have finally managed to restore the opening post to it's former glory!!

[mk2_craig]

Think there is a program you can download which will calculate the keycode for the stereo from the serial number on the back. I've certainly used one for the later large size head units on mk2 Mondeos etc, which worked a treat.

[gadgetgricey]

Nice looking Fiesta, but what shocked me the most was the pic of the garage.

 

Thought I recognised it then realised I'd picked my mate up from there this morning as his Discovery is currently being looked at for an ABS issue.

[PiperCub]

I've just one thing to say:

 

OMGOSFBARNFIND

 

And by cleaning it you've massively devalued it of course. (Maybe I shouldn't have watched Chasing Classic Cars then.......)

 

 

Seriously tho'  -  is this one of the really basic spec Mk3's? Does it have carpeting that resembles the type used in office carpet tiles? No ciggy lighter etc? 

I had one of these about 17 years ago (K-reg), it was ex-local authority special poverty spec (ie: cheap in the first place). They have a lot going for them, nothing to go wrong, 1.1 motor - dull yes, but reliable & very cheap to run, I used mine as a 'Company' car for about 20K miles when self employed, charged 30p/mile but calculated cost of under 9p/mile! So mightn't have been any fun but making money made me smile. Simple to work on too.

The only big issue is rust, the sills are the worst bits, they always go at the back & can spread inboard to the beam mounts too. Front valance rusts but usually just cosmetic.

[theorganist]

Think there is a program you can download which will calculate the keycode for the stereo from the serial number on the back. I've certainly used one for the later large size head units on mk2 Mondeos etc, which worked a treat.

Thanks for that, I'll have a look at it over the weekend

[theorganist]

Nice looking Fiesta, but what shocked me the most was the pic of the garage.

 

Thought I recognised it then realised I'd picked my mate up from there this morning as his Discovery is currently being looked at for an ABS issue.

I've been using them for some years, they are a good garage and treat you fairly. They get old cars. The head mechanic has landcrabs, an ADO16 and other such delights. He thinks my Fiesta is modern!

[theorganist]

I've just one thing to say:

 

OMGOSFBARNFIND

 

And by cleaning it you've massively devalued it of course. (Maybe I shouldn't have watched Chasing Classic Cars then.......)

 

 

Seriously tho' - is this one of the really basic spec Mk3's? Does it have carpeting that resembles the type used in office carpet tiles? No ciggy lighter etc?

I had one of these about 17 years ago (K-reg), it was ex-local authority special poverty spec (ie: cheap in the first place). They have a lot going for them, nothing to go wrong, 1.1 motor - dull yes, but reliable & very cheap to run, I used mine as a 'Company' car for about 20K miles when self employed, charged 30p/mile but calculated cost of under 9p/mile! So mightn't have been any fun but making money made me smile. Simple to work on too.

The only big issue is rust, the sills are the worst bits, they always go at the back & can spread inboard to the beam mounts too. Front valance rusts but usually just cosmetic.

Yes the carpets are like that, the seat covers remind me of buses from that period. It has had welding to the sills but my mechanic reckons it is pretty solid. The front valance will need some treatment.

 

I bought my earlier one (a 4 speed 1.1) as an emergency stop gap three years ago. It surprised me, it was comfortable and pleasant even on long journeys and I found it quite fun to drive. I ended up keeping it over a year and only sold it as someone I knew was desperate for a cheap car. He did have to spend quite a lot getting it welded for it's mot though.

 

Its still on SORN somewhere.

[Cavcraft]

Perfect, love finding cars in that state and those Fiestas really are the last decent car that Ford knocked up.